Lubricating device



- F. R. DIPPMAN LUBRICATING DEVICE Jim. 28, 1936.

Original Filed Dec. 2, 1951 Inventor fF'PED Rf D/PPMA Attorney Patented Jan. 28, 1936 PATENT OFFICE LUBRICATING DEVICE Fred R. Dippman,

The Ohio Brass Com Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to pany, Mansfield, Ohio, a

corporation of New Jersey Application December 2, 1931, Serial No. 578,565 Renewed June 21, 1934 32 Claims.

My invention relates to lubricating devices and particularly those classes adaptable for lubricating trolley wires.

The object of my invention is to apply a thin 5 coating of lubricating material to the contacting surface of trolley wires which are used with current collectors of the shoe or sliding type.

My invention resides in the new and novel construction, combination and relation of the various parts hereinafter described in this application and shown in the drawing accompanying the same.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view of my invention with parts in partial section.

Fig. 2 is a View in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the portion of my invention which applies the lubricant to the trolley 20 wire.

Fig. l is a view showing the application of a wiper which I employ in connection withv Fig- 1.

Fig. 5 is a modification of the applicationof a. wiper.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I provide a support member I which is adapted to receive the end of the trolley pole 2. Mounted upon the member I is a support 3 arranged to pivot about its substantially vertical axis and its upper end is adapted to receive a shoe 4 to pivot upon the pin 5 in avertical plane. The shoe 4 has a contact surface 6 which engages with the lower surface of the trolley conductor 7 whereby current may be collected from the trolley wire I and conducted through the pole 2 to the vehicle for operating the motors and other apparatus thereon. The shoe i will guide the upper end of the trolley pole 2 and support I relative to the wire, whether the shoe i acts as a collector of current for use on the vehicle or not.

The member 3 is held to the member I by means of the nut 8 secured to the lower end thereon and mounted upon the member 3 is a collar r 9 arranged to rotate with the member 3 and to which is secured a spring It. which yieldingly supports the liquid container H.

The shoe 4 and its support 3 may be of various types suitable for the purpose intended. There are many forms and modifications of current collecting shoes now in use.

The liquid container I! comprises a receptacle portion l2 formed up preferably of sheet iron and in which is mounted a lubricating wheel 13 which rotates upon the axle Hi which is secured in position by means of the threaded cap l5.

The receptacle I2 is shown as secured to the shoe 4 by means of a screw or screws l6 and. the shoe will guide one end of the receptacle relatively to the trolley wire.

It will be evident that the receptacle I 2 will 5 pivot in a vertical plane and also in a substantially horizontal plane with the shoe 4 and the spring Hi will hold the wheel l3 in contact with the trolley wire.

The wheel l3 may be formed of metal but I prefer to form it of insulation such as fibre, hardwood, rubber, either hard or soft, or bakelized canvas. Other materials will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I may secure to the vertical sides of the receptacle l2 guard I! having inwardly projecting flanges I8 which overhang the edge of the wheel I3 and thus prevent the lubricating liquid from being thrown without the receptacle l2.

In the preferred form of wheel I3 I provide a main groove I 9 and a supplementary groove 20. I then mount on the receptacle l2 2. wiper 2| preferably of felt to bear against the surface of the groove l9 and reinforced with metal supports 22 and 23. This arrangement is shown more clearly in Fig. 4. It will be noted that any liquid which may be taken up by the surface of the groove 19 as it rotates in the direction shown by the arrows in Fig. 1 will be wiped from the surface of the groove l9 but not from the surface of the groove 20 and such material as remains in the groove 20 will be deposited upon the trolley wire 7 (see Fig. 2).

In Fig. 5 a modification is shown in which the groove i9 is not provided with the supplementary groove 28 but the wiper 2! is provided with a groove 24 which permits the solution to remain upon the center of the groove l9 as shown at 25 and which in turn will be deposited upon the trolley wire I as the wheel l3 rotates in contact therewith.

To the lower portion of the receptacle I 2 is secured a fitting 26 to which the intake hose 21 is secured. On the rear edge of the receptacle I2 is secured the fitting 28 to which the overflow 45 hose 29 is secured. The location of the fitting 28 determines the depth of liquid to which the receptacle 4 2 may be brought and in Fig. 1 is indicated by the dotted line 30.

The portion of my invention thus far described is mounted upon the end of the trolley pole 2 on a car usually employed for lubricating the trolley wire or such car may be the repair car or other work car. Within the car or on the roof of the car may be mounted a receptacle or container outlet efi with its check M.

3i mounted on the base 32. The container is provided with a cover 33 and an agitator com? prising; a plurality of wings B l secured to the verticai shaft 35 to which is secured the operating handle 35 by means of which the shaft is rotated thus keeping the lubricating solution within the receptacle 3! constantly mixed. This is not very often necessary due to the fact as later explained of the constant agitation of the material as it is forced out of and back into the? tank 3F. a

I employ a double-acting pump at which ma be of any proper design which the primary intake 35 with its check 39 and the The pump is also provided with inlet 52 from the receptacle l2 and the check e3. rinother outlet at is provided from the pump to the tank 35 and has therein a check 35. The checks permit the flow of liquid in the direction indicated by the arrows and the outlet 30 is connected to the supply hose. 2? and the inlet 42 is connected to the overflow hose 29.

The pump: also comprises the operating handle is which :when operated will draw liquid from the tank 3! through the conduit 38 and check 39 into the pump on an up stroke and will force it out through the check ill conduit to and pipe for hose 2i on the down stroke and into the receptacle l2. If the liquid in the receptacle i2 is up or above the line 36 then on a down stroke of the piston the liquid will be drawn through the pipe 29 conduit a2 and check 43 into the upper end of the'pump 51 and on the up stroke will be forced back into the tank 3! through the check and conduit M thus the lubricat ng liquid will be kept in circulation and will not rise -materially at least above the line 38.

The lubricating liquid may consist of a quick drying varnish in which is incorporated a graphite, or other form of lubricant may be employed but I prefer one containing a graphite and a vehicle which will dry quickly and adhere tenaciously to the trolley wire.

:In the operation of my invention, having equipped the car therewith, it is only necessary for the attendant to operate the pump thus forcing the lubricant through hose 21 into the receptacle l2 and back through the hose 29 into the receptacle 3%. As the car moves the wheel is will rotate in contact with the trolley wire 5'! and deposit thereon a thin film of the lubricant which will dry very quickly and form an adhesive coating thereon which will have the tendency to lubricate both the trolley wire and shoe on cars following for a considerable period or time and will further tend to place a high degree of polish upon the wire and shoe thus avoiding an abrasive action.

If desired the wiper 2i may be made with angularly disposed sides as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5 in which case the outer edge of the wheel will also be wiped.

It will be evident that the receptacle ill and wheel l3 may be secured'to the member I ad jacent to and to the rear of the stem 3 so that the receptacle is independent of the shoe 4. The spring ll} acting upon the receptacle will hold the wheel it against the trolley wire.

, Modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Having described my invention, I claim:-

1. A lubricating device comprising a sliding shoe to engage a trolley wire to guide the device I relative to the wire, a support for the shoe and means to secure the support to a trolley pole is provided with 'the sides of the wheel mounted on a moving vehicle, a separately formed receptacle detachably secured to the shoe and arranged to hold a lubricating material, a Wheel mounted in the receptacle to rotate therein and dip into the lubricating material. and to engage with the trolley wire and distribute the said material thereon as the vehicle moves relative to the wire. g

2. A lubricating device comprising a sliding shoe to engage a trolley wire, a support for the shoe to secure the shoe to a trolley pole, a separately formed receptacle detachably associated with the shoe and a l'rangedl'to hold a lubricating material, a grooved roller mounted to rotate within the receptacle ai d dip into the said material and engageithe troliey wire within the groove and distribute the material along the wire.

3. A lubricating device comprising a grooved guide to engage a trolley wire and prevent lateral displacement of the device relative to the wire, a support for the guide to secure the .guide to trolley pole, a receptacle, means to secure the reeeptacle to the shoe and arranged to hold a luhricating material, a grooved roller mounted to rotate within the receptacle and dip into the said material and engage the trolley wire within the groove and distribute the material thereon and. a wiper to engage a part of the surface of said groove to remove therefrom the said material where the wiper engages the surface of the groove.

4. A lubricating device comprising a sliding shoe to engage a trolley wire, a support for the shoe to secure the shoe to a troliey pole, a receptacle secured to the shoe and arranged to hold a lubricating material, a grooved roller mounted to rotate within the receptacle and dip into the said material, a second groove forming. a part of the first groove and depressed below the surface of the first groove and means to remove the said materiai from the surface of the first groove.

. 5. A lubricating device for a trolley wire com-- prising grooved means to engage a trolley wire and guide the device relative to the wire, a support for the grooved means and means to secure the support to a trolley pole on a moving vehicle, a receptacle associated with the grooved means and arranged to hold a lubricating material, a wheel mounted in the receptacle to rotate therein and dip into the lubricating materiai and to engage with the trolley wire and distribute the said material thereon, and guards to prevent the said material from being thrown without the receptacle by centrifugal force.

6. A lubricating device comprising a current and dip into the said material and engage the trolley wire within the groove and distribute the material along the troiley wire, and a wiper to engage a part of the surface of said groove and the wheel'to remove therefrom the said material where engagement takes place.

7. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle to retain a lubricating material, the receptacle mounted on a support secured to a trolley pole and arranged to pivot in a horizontal plane and a vertical plane relative to the pole, a wheel mounted to rotate within the receptacle and engage the trolley wire and. dip into the said material as the wheel rotates adjacent the periphery of and distribute the said material upon the wire and yielding means constantly urging the receptacle towards the trolley wire.

8. A lubricating device comprising a support, a receptacle mounted on the support to contain lubricating material, rotatable means mounted to dip into the lubricating material, means to yieldingly hold the rotatable means in engagement with a trolley wire, means to remove excess lubricating material from the rotatable means, means to catch such lubricating material as may be thrown from the rotatable means and. return it to the receptacle and means whereby the supply of lubricating material in the receptacle may be renewed.

9. A lubricating device comprising a current collector shoe to engage a trolley Wire and pivot in a vertical plane relative to a support, a support for the shoe and means to secure the support to a trolley pole on a moving vehicle, a receptacle spaced from and secured to the shoe and arranged to hold alubricating material, a wheel mounted in the receptacle to rotate therein and dip into the lubricating material and to engage with the. trolley wire and distribute the said material thereon.

10. A lubricating device comprising a support, means mounted on the support to engage a trolley wire, a receptacle to retain a lubricating material in contact with the said means to distribute the lubricating material to the trolley wire, a second receptacle located at a distance from the first receptacle, a conduit to conduct lubricating material from the second receptacle to the first receptacle, a conduit to conduct excess material from the first receptacle to the second receptaclewhen the material in the first receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount.

11. A lubricating device comprising a support, means mounted on the support to engage a trolley wire, a receptacle to retain a lubricating material in contact with the said means to distribute the lubricating material to the trolley wire, a second receptacle located at a distance from the first receptacle, a conduit to conduct lubricating material from the second receptacle to the first receptacle, a conduit to conduct excess material from the first receptacle to the second receptacle when the material in the receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, and means to control the fiow of material in the conduits.

12. A lubricating device comprising the combination of an electrically operated vehicle, a lubricating member mounted thereon to contact with a trolley wire, a receptacle to retain a lubricating material in contact with the lubricating member, means to urge the member into contact with the trolley wire, a second receptacle at a distance from the first receptacle to contain lubricating material and connected to the first receptacle by a pair of conduits, a pump interposed between the two receptacles to control the flow of the lubricating material in the conduits, the pump forcing the material from the second receptacle to the first receptacle through one conduit and from the first receptacle to the second receptacle t rough the other conduit and check valves associated with the pump and conduits to control the fiow in the conduits.

13. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a support arranged to be secured to a vehicle, a receptacle having an elongated frame pivotally sustained by the support at one end of the receptacle and the other end of the receptacle overhanging the support, the receptacle arranged to hold a lubricating material and a wheel mounted-in the receptacle to rotate therein and dip into the lubr icating material and to engage the trolley wire and distribute the said material thereon, and grooved means associated with the receptacle and the support to guide the pivot end of the receptacle relative to the trolley wire.

14. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle to retain a liquid lubricating material, means to secure the receptacle to a support to pivot in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the support, a wheel mounted to rotate within the receptacle and engage the trolley wire and dip into the said material as it rotates and deposit the said material upon the lower surface of the trolley wire and means to limit the amount of lubricating material applied to the wire by the wheel.

15. A lubricating device for trolley wires comprising a receptacle to retain a lubricating material, a support secured to a vehicle, the receptacle sustained by the support in spaced relation to the vehicle and arranged to pivot in a horizontal plane relative to the support, a wheel mounted to rotate within the receptacle and engage the trolley wire and contact with the lubricating material as it rotates and apply the material upon the wire and yielding means constantly urging the receptacle towards the trolley wire.

16. A lubricating device for trolley wires com prising a receptacle to retain a lubricating material, a support secured to a vehicle, the receptacle sustained by the support in spaced relation to the vehicle and arranged to pivot in a horizontal plane, a disc mounted to rotate within the receptacle and engage the trolley wire and contact with the lubricating material as it rotates and distribute the material upon the wire, yielding means urging the wire and means associated with the receptacle spaced from the disc to guide one end of the receptacle relative to the trolley wire.

17. A lubricating device comprising a support and means to secure the support to a second support mounted on a vehicle, a grooved guide mounted on the first support to engage a trolley wire to prevent lateral displacement of the first support relative to the wire, a receptacle secured to the guide and arranged to hold a lubricating material, a rotatable element mounted in the receptacle arranged to dip into the lubricating material and to engage the trolley wire and distribute the said material thereon and a spring operating between the said first ceptacle to raise the receptacle and hold the rotatable element in contact with the wire.

18. A lubricating device comprising a support for mounting on the upper end of a trolley pole, a receptacle and rolling means mounted on the support, the rolling means to engage a trolley wire and deposit lubricating material thereon and the receptacle to retain a lubricating material in contact with the rolling means, a second receptacle containing lubricatin material located at a distance from the first receptacle and means connecting the receptacles whereby the lubricating material may be added to that in the first receptacle.

19. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle to retain a lubricating mate rial therein, a support adapted to be secured to a second support mounted on a vehicle, means to mount the receptacle on the first support to pivot relative thereto in a substantially vertical receptacle towards the trolley support and re Cal ill

plane and rotating means mounted within the receptacle to engage the trolley wire and dip into the said material and distribute the said mate,- rial upon the trolley wire.

20. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle arranged to hold a lubricating material, a support adapted to be secured to a second support mounted on a vehicle, means to mount the receptacle on the first support to pivot relative to the support in a substantially horizontal plane and a rotating member mounted to dip into the lubricating material and engage the trolley wire and distribute the lubricating material thereon as the device is moved along the wire.

21. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising in combination a support, a receptacle to receive and hold .a lubricating material, a member mounted to rotate within the receptacle and engage the wire and dip into the lubricating material and deposit the same upon the trolley wire as the device is moved along the same and means mounted on the support to pivot relative thereto about an axis transversely disposed to the longitudinal axis of the support and to which means the receptacle is secured to pivot in a plane coinciding with the said axis.

22. A lubricating device for a conductor comprising a support adapted to be mounted on a second support carried by a vehicle, a member mounted on the first support to pivot relative thereto upon an axis other than horizontal, a receptacle to retain a lubricating material and supported by the said member and to pivot relative thereto in a vertical plane and means associated with the receptacle to apply the said lubricating material to the conductor as the device is moved along the conductor.

23. In combination, an upwardly extending support mounted on a vehicle and a lubricating apparatus carried by the upper end of the support and in operative relation to an extended conductor, the lubricating apparatus comprising a receptacle for holding a lubricating material in liquid form out of contact with the conductor, a'

member to engage the conductor and guide the apparatus along the conductor, means to mount the grooved member and receptacle upon the support and means to transfer the lubricating material from within the receptacle directly to the conductor, only while the vehicle is moving.

24. In a lubricating device, the combination of a pair of spaced memberseach to contact with a trolley wire, a receptacle partially enclosing one of the members and arranged to hold a lubricating material in contact with the said member, means to mount the members and receptacle upon a support secured to a vehicle, the said members arranged to move relative to the said means in planes substantially at right angles to each other and to maintain a predetermined relation between the device and trolley wire.

25. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a member to contact with the wire, a rotating member to contact with and apply a lubricant to the wire, a receptacle partially enclosing the second member and adapted to retain and catch a lubricating material, means for supporting the receptacle and members upon a trolley pole and means through which the lubricating material may be supplied to the receptacle, the said members arranged to move only in unison relative to the supporting means and maintain the device in a predetermined relation to the wire.

26. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle arranged to hold a lubricating liquid, means adapted to be supported by a trolley pole on a vehicle, means to mount the receptacle on the first said means to pivot relative thereto in a vertical plane and also about an axis other than horizontal and a rotating member mounted to dip into the lubricating material and engage the trolley wire and distribute the lubricant thereon as the device moves along the wire, the rotating member being partially enclosed by the receptacle.

27. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a supporting means, a second supporting means mounted upon the first supporting means to pivot relative thereto about an axis other than horizontal, a receptacle tohold a lubricating material and supported by the second supporting means to pivot in a vertical plane, a rotating member mounted to dip into the lubricating material and engage the trolley wire and distribute the lubricating material thereon as the device moves along the wire and means to engage the trolley Wire in advance of the rotating means and pivot in a vertical plane with the receptacle to guide one end of the receptacle relative to the wire, the receptacle partially enclosing the rotating memberand means to prevent an excess application of lubricating material to the wire. i 28. A lubricating device for trolley wire comprising a receptacle to retain a fluid lubricant, a support, means to secure the receptacle to the support to pivot relative thereto in a, substantially horizontal plane, distributing means mounted to rotate within the receptacle and engage the trolley wire and dip into the lubricant and distribute the same along the surface of the wire as the means rotates, and means to control the amount of lubricant applied to the wire by the distributing means.

29. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle to retain a fluid lubricant 1 and having an opening through itsupper wall, a support for the device, means to secure the receptacle to the support to pivot relative to the support in a substantially horizontal plane, distributing means mounted within the receptacle.

to engage the trolley wire at the opening and distribute lubricant to the wire surface as the device moves along the wire and means torcontrol the amount of lubricant applied to the wire.

30. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle to: retain a fluid lubricant and having an opening through its upper wall, a support for the device, means to secure the receptacle to the support to pivot relative to the support in a substantially horizontal plane, distributing means mounted within the receptacle to engage the trolley wire at the opening and distribute the lubricant to the wire surface as the device moves along the wire, means to control the amount of lubricant applied to the wire and means constantly urging the receptacle toward the wire.

31. A lubricating device for a trolley wire comprising a receptacle to retain a fluid lubricant and having an opening through its upper wall, a support for the receptacle and means to secure the receptacle to the support to pivot relative to the support in a substantially horizontal plane, distributing means mounted within the receptacle and. having a portion thereof exposed at the opening to apply the lubricant to the wire surface, means to control the amount of lubricant applied to the wire and means to guide the support in predetermined relation to the wire.

tain an advancing end of the receptacle spaced at a predetermined distance from the wire and means associated with the receptacle to dip into the lubricant and contact with the wire to apply the lubricant to the wire as the device moves 5 along the wire.

FRED R. DIPPMAN. 

